Resume writing
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Resume Writing
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23-Sep-2014 -
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Transcript of Resume writing
Resume Writing
Major Sections in a Resume
The Contact Information
The Objective Statement
Education
Experience
Honours and Activities
Personal Details
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Sample Resume
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The Contact Information
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The Contact Information
Creates first impression
Provides information to help prospective employers contact you
Usually placed at the top of the page
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Is this a Good Sample?
Your Name Here
1234 Streetname, #1
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-555-5555
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Is this Sample Better?
Campus Address
1234 Streetname, #1
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-555-5555
Permanent Address
4321 Streetname
Anytown, IN 12345
http://univ.edu/~login
555-555-1234
YOUR NAME HERE
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Appearance
Use and coordinate design strategies
Fonts – style and size
Text highlighting
Layout – alignment, columns and tables
Adding a graphic element
Match with rest of the resume and the cover letter
Aim for a professional package8
The Objective Section
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What is an Objective Statement?
A short section (usually 1-3 lines), often in the form of a sentence fragment, immediately below your contact information
An “at a glance” picture of you and your career interests
Other names: Professional Objective, Resume Capsule, Career Goals etc.
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Why Write One?
Emphasize key qualifications, skills and/or goals
Help your readers find what they need to know quickly
Make a good first impression
Relate company goals to personal goals
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Is this a Good Objective Statement?
An internship allowing me to utilize my knowledge
and expertise in different areasWell-written but raises too many questions
For example: What kind of internship?
What knowledge?
What kinds of expertise?
Which areas?
How will you contribute to this company?
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A Good Objective Statement Answers
What position(s) are you applying for?
What are your main qualifications?
What are your career goals?
What is your professional identity?
How can you help the company?
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Getting Started. . .
Reflect on your overall qualifications and career goals: In what ways are they typical? Unique?
Research individual employers in your field: In what ways are employers alike? Different?
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Questions about You
What are your main qualifications, strengths, skills, and areas of expertise?
What position(s)--or type of position--are you seeking?
What are some of your professional goals?
What type of organization or work setting are you most interested in?
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Questions about the Employers
What qualifications are most desired by employers in your field?
What positions are available on the job market? What are they titled?
What are some goals of the organizations that interest you?
What kinds of organizations are now hiring?
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Instant Objective Statement
For practice, fill in the parts in bracketsTo utilize my [qualifications, strengths, or skills] as a [position title]
A position as a [position title] for [company name] allowing me to develop my [qualifications, strengths, or skills]
An opportunity to [professional goal] in a [type of organization, work environment, or field]
[position title] with emphasis in [areas of expertise]
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Which of the Objective Statement is BEST?
The one that best…Emphasizes your qualifications and/or goals
Appeals to employer expectations
A trick question: You’ll probably need to write more than one objective statement.
Tailor for each type of position that interests you and, for best results, modify for each particular employer (as necessary)
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The Education Section
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What is an Education Section?
Focus on your educational background and formal training, individualizing for an organization
Usually a major section for college students and recent graduates
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Purpose: To Inform and to Persuade
Give information about your schooling and training
Persuade employers your educational background is relevant to the job, providing evidence of your qualifications
Help your resume stand out from others in the stack
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Where to Place this Section?
Above or below your experience section?
It depends…Which is stronger, your education or your work experience section?
How much relevant work experience do you have?
Place strongest, most relevant section closest to top of the page
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Questions to Answer
What are my major and minor GPAs?
Any honors related to my degree?
How is my education funded?
What are my major(s) and minor(s)? What are my areas of emphasis, specialization, or concentration?
What special course or degree-related projects may be relevant?
What courses have I taken that are related to my career goals?
With what computer programs am I most familiar?
What language proficiencies do I have?
Any certifications or licenses?
Do I have any on-the-job educational training such as in-house training programs?
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Is it OK?
Education
B.A. in English
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
Anticipated Graduation: December 2007
GPA: 3.4/4.0
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Is it Better?
B.A. in Professional Writing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, May 2007 (Funded 100% of Schooling)
Concentration: Business and Technical Writing
Select Coursework: Computer-aided Publishing, Writing for the Computer Industry, Business Writing, Technical Writing, Advanced Professional Writing
Overall GPA: 3.4/4.0 Major GPA: 3.7/4.0
EducationEducation
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The Experience Section
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The Experience Section
A section that demonstrates your most relevant experience in work or activities.
Other common names: Professional Experience, Work History, Field Work, Volunteer Work, etc.
Special names: Technical Experience, Supervisory Experience, Aviation Experience, etc.
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The Experience Section: Informing to Persuade
Construct your professional identity
Help your resume stand out from others in the stack
Provide information to help persuade prospective employers that your experiences make you qualified for the job and that you align with the organization’s goals
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The Experience Section: Elements
Company or organization and location (city, state)
Position title
Dates of employment or involvement
Descriptions of responsibilities, duties, achievements, etc.
Use action verbs to describe duties!
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Where should you Put this Section?
Above or below your education section?
It depends…How much work experience do you have?
Which is stronger, your education or your work experience section?
Place strongest, most relevant section closest to top of the page
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Getting Started. . .
List your past and present experiences.
Include:Organization
Position
Duration
Responsibilities
Achievements
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Describing Experiences
Relate it to your career goals
Asked for in job ads and descriptions
Choose one experience you circled and describe briefly
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The Honours and Activities Section
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What is an Honours and Activities Section?
A section that emphasizes your participation in relevant activities and any honors you have received
Other namesAwards
Memberships
Volunteer Work
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What is an Honours and Activities Section?
Completes your personality
Provide additional evidence of your qualifications
Give employers a sense of who you are outside of school and work
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Placing this Section
Usually last section on the page
Can be moved up if information is especially important or relevant
Sometimes omitted if there is a lack of space or relevant information
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Exploring Content Possibilities
Extracurricular activities
Awards, grants, prizes, and special honors
Memberships in professional clubs and organization
Volunteer activities
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Two Approaches
Minimal approachPhotography Club, University of Illinois, January 1999-Present
Elaborated approachPresident, Photography Club, University of Illinois, January 1999-PresentOrganized campus contest Increased membership with promotional efforts
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Plan of Attack
Brainstorm
Decide what to include based on relevance, interest-value, and space considerations
Match organization and design with rest of resume
Seek critical feedback
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Other Important Sections and Details
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Personal Details Section
Date of Birth
Sex
Marital Status
Nationality
Languages Known
Hobbies and Interests
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References Section
At least two references with complete contact details
In case you don’t want to give, write References available on request
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Declaration Section (Optional)
At the end of the resume
It shows your declaration of truth and authenticity
Write:
I hereby declare that the information provided above is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Date Signature
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Resume Writing: Format and Style
FormatsChronological
Functional
Combination
StylesTargeted
General
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Thank You!
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